How Choose a topic of interest, spend a little time researching it, have a discussion then publish the notes - which are available on the site to read along!

Why The main benefits are the fostering of a greater understanding of the world before we die and hopefully, to prompt further thought and discussion from our listeners.

The topic we will be discussing in this episode is Volkswagen

Topic Overview

Devised during the frenetic interwar years in Germany, Volkswagen, the ‘People’s Car’ manufacturer was envisaged to be an affordable, usably efficient and family oriented means of transport that every ordinary German could own and enjoy. Now, nearly an octogenarian, Volkswagen has given us the original hipster camper van ride, the Love Bug, a near continuous succession of grey, drab saloon cars, high profile acquisitions, massive expenditure on lobbyists and a share price sinking scandal. Volkswagen - endearingly generic. Do we still want to lovingly lever off the badge?

Off-topic

What we’re not talking about

Vin Diesel

Talking Points

Each bullet is a talking point. Sub-bullets are topics that may or may not be covered. Usage: Read the bullet and sub-bullets then talk about some or all sub-bullets.

History

Hitler wanted a ‘People’s Car’ which would be affordable, family oriented and fuel efficient. He gave sketches of a proposed car shape to Mr. Porsche which have subsequently been claimed to be rip-offs of those by a Jewish engineer, Josef Ganz - designed and built the ‘May Bug’ which was unveiled at the 1935 Berlin motor show.

‘More than 80 years ago, Jewish engineer JOSEF GANZ amazed the people of Frankfurt by racing his revolutionary MAY BUG prototype over the city streets and sidewalks. This lightweight, rear-engined car was part of his dream for the German people: a Volkswagen that anyone could afford. Two years later, Ganz presented the first ‘German Volkswagen’ before Chancellor Adolf Hitler at the Berlin motor show – but as a Jew, he was quickly arrested by the Gestapo and any connection between him and what soon became “Hitler’s Volkswagen project” was erased from the pages of history…’ - http://josefganz.org/

Beetle/Bug/pregnant rollerskate designed by Ferdinand Porsche, on a commission.

Beetle was air cooled on Hitler’s suggestion. Didn’t want the average germanc without a garage to suffer burst radiators.

Models of note

The Beetle which enjoyed decades long popularity thanks to hippy Neo-Nazis

The Golf GTi people used to go on about which began the ‘hothunch’ craze

Phaeton

The camper van one

The Karmann Ghia which looks like a cooked chicken (in a good way, unlike the Bentley GT which looks like a crappy cooked chicken)

Advertising

Dieselgate

‘As of September 30, 2015, it was confirmed that some five million Volkswagen-branded cars, 2.1 million Audi vehicles, 1.2 million Skoda automobiles and 700,000 Seat cars, as well as 1.8 million VW commercial vehicles were fitted with a defeat device in their engines, and were thus affected by the Volkswagen diesel deception scandal.’ - Statista

Acquisitions

Bugatti

Lamborghini

Which now use Volkswagen Beetle engines

Audi

Bentley

Porsche

Performance Beetles

Seat

Skoda

Ducati

Italian motorbikes (not the Fiat Ducato)

Statistics

10m+ cars produced in 2014

3rd largest car manufacturer (after Toyota and GM)

1st manufacturer to partner with the Chinese. FAW Group Corporation deal 1991. Makes Volkswagens, Audis in China for the domestic market.

‘Our Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engines are responsive and fun to drive, as well as being very efficient. They offer more power with great fuel economy, which all helps to lower emissions.’ - VW site

Volkswagen XL1 - world’s most fuel efficient car (prototype)

E-Bugster Electric Beetle, 85kWh, 0-60 in 10 secs, 110 mile range. Prototype that with those specs, will never see the light of day Golf R400 Looks like a Golf from the ‘80s but gets to 60mph in less than 4 seconds (prototype)